SIR
,
ALthough
it
be
a
task
above
the
greatest
experiment
of
Nature
,
to
stop
the
open
sepulchres
of
other
mens
mouths
;
yet
to
vindicate
a
mans
own
name
from
the
unjust
imputations
of
scandalous
aspersions
,
is
a
duty
compatible
with
the
least
vigour
of
grace
.
It
is
well
known
to
the
messenger
who
brought
me
your
challenge
,
how
unwilling
I
was
at
first
to
open
my
Cephalique
vein
in
those
Canicular
daies
,
wherein
Remedies
strongly
applyed
,
are
more
dangerous
then
diseases
,
and
most
men
by
a
malignant
constellation
,
unluckily
complexion'd
to
dislike
what
they
cannot
correct
,
but
receiving
a
second
information
of
your
Goliah
spirit
,
daring
the
whole
Israel
of
our
side
to
a
Goose-quil-fight
,
after
a
serious
debate
betwixt
my
understanding
and
will
,
I
resolved
at
last
,
rather
to
expose
my self
to
the
hazardous
censure
of
some
for
a
dispensible
forwardnesse
,
then
necessarily
to
incur
the
blame
of
others
,
and
my
own
conscience
,
for
an
inexcusable
cowardise
in
Religion
.
Thanks
be
to
God
,
I
do
not
only
believe
as
a
Christian
;
but
as
a
scholler
understand
the
divine
right
of
Church-Government
,
which
in
its
substantials
,
by
the
consent
of
most
men
on
all
sides
,
i●
not
ambulatory
(
like
a
moveable
Tent
)
to
be
set
up
,
and
put
down
,
at
the
pleasure
either
of
civil
or
Ecclesiastical
power
,
but
(
like
the
Persian
Law
)
unalterable
,
both
in
respect
of
persons
,
and
time
;
but
whether
the
administration
of
this
decreed
Government
,
be
by
divine
commission
originally
granted
,
either
to
a
Presbyterian
,
Independent
,
or
Episcopal
ministry
,
sub
Judice
lis
est
:
in
which
processe
(
dismissing
the
sceptique
enqu●ries
of
humane
Authors
,
as
writs
insufficient
to
determine
controversie
)
we
must
appeal
to
the
word
of
God
for
our
quietus
est
.
The
Consistorian
Presbytery
,
which
for
a
wh●le
(
like
Senacheribs
Letter
)
insulted
over
Kings
,
people
,
hath
always
been
as
great
a
stranger
to
my
study
,
as
to
my
faith
;
for
I
could
never
think
that
the
extemporary
invention
of
a
necessitous
condition
,
would
ever
become
an
object
of
speculation
,
much
lesse
of
practise
,
to
the
Church
of
England
.
The
Arguments
which
are
chiefly
urged
to
maintain
the
credit
of
this
society
upon
a
divine
score
,
are
altogether
unsatisfactory
to
my
conscience
,
not
so
much
because
they
do
in
a
singular
construction
,
run
counter
to
the
Catholique
sentence
of
the
Church
in
former
ages
,
as
in
that
they
offer
violence
to
the
natural
sense
of
the
word
,
which
is
the
best
Interpreter
of
it self
;
for
I
would
gladly
be
informed
by
you
,
or
any
man
of
your
constitution
,
who
(
like
Diogenes
,
an
Epicure
by
conversation
,
but
a
Stoick
in
opinion
)
can
seem
an
Independent
in
face
,
yet
be
a
Presbyterian
in
heart
,
why
,
or
how
the
Term
Ruler
,
which
in
all
places
of
Scripture
,
touching
spiritual
matters
,
is
the
essential
predicate
of
a
Pastour
,
should
or
can
be
understood
of
a
Lay
Elder
,
especially
since
the
original
word
used
by
St.
Paul
,
in
Genere
,
Rom.
12.
8.
is
by
the
same
Apostle
1
Thess.
5.
12.
directly
given
to
the
Pastour
in
specie
.
I
would
likewise
willingly
know
by
what
mystery
of
Art
you
can
prove
the
Teacher
,
Exhorter
,
and
Ruler
to
be
distinct
kinds
of
officers
,
the
Acts
of
Teaching
,
Exhorting
,
and
Ruling
,
1
Tim
.
3.
2
Tim
.
4.
Heb
.
13.
17.
being
in
several
and
plainly
intelligible
Text
letters
,
jointly
appropriated
to
one
and
the
same
subject
:
or
with
what
confidence
you
can
compose
your self
to
resolve
the
question
,
whether
the
Teacher
be
above
the
Exhortor
,
or
the
Exhortor
above
the
Teacher
,
in
their
distinct
offices
,
utrumque
non
vacat
absurdo
;
for
if
the
Teacher
be
above
the
Exhortor
,
then
the
Teacher
may
exhort
,
but
the
Exhortor
not
teach
,
and
so
è
converso
,
the
reason
is
,
because
the
greater
may
doe
,
what
the
lesse
can
,
but
the
lesse
cannot
,
what
the
greater
doth
,
as
the
Teacher
and
Exhortor
may
govern
as
well
as
the
Ruler
,
but
the
Ruler
cannot
teach
nor
exhort
as
well
as
they
,
according
to
the
classical
Commentators
own
opinion
.
Therefore
(
unlesse
there
be
an
Algebra
in
Divinity
to
invent
the
secret
of
a
numeral
diversity
without
a
difference
)
this
incomprehensible
new
distinction
of
Ecclesiastical
functions
must
needs
be
such
a
grand
Asystaton
to
the
word
of
God
,
as
he
that
is
but
an
ABCdarian
in
Scripture
,
may
easily
spell
at
the
first
sight
.
And
here
I
cannot
sufficiently
wonder
at
the
deliberate
,
and
cum
privilegio
errour
of
our
Synodical
Presbyters
,
who
so
hotly
urge
the
inseperability
of
the
keys
against
Vid
.
jus
divinum
in
Regim
.
Eccles
.
their
Independent
brethren
,
to
lock
up
the
peoples
mouths
from
gaping
after
the
power
of
Ecclesiastical
Jurisdiction
,
and
yet
allow
those
amongst
themselves
to
judge
in
the
Consistory
,
whom
they
forbid
to
preach
in
the
Pulpir
.
Certainly
,
if
the
reason
be
forcible
enough
to
bar
the
Independent
multitude
,
it
must
of
necessity
be
equally
effectual
to
exclude
the
Presbyterian
singularity
,
from
the
management
of
spiritual
commissions
,
the
propriety
of
a
thing
being
as
incommunicable
to
one
,
as
to
many
of
a
different
kind
,
for
the
use
of
Reason
is
as
incompatible
with
the
nature
of
a
particular
,
as
of
a
universal
beasthood
.
Baalams
Asse
by
a
natural
constitution
had
no
more
priviledge
to
speak
,
then
the
whole
family
of
that
sex
,
neither
hath
a
Triumvirate
of
Laymen
better
authority
to
rule
in
the
Church
,
then
a
century
of
the
same
lineage
.
Away
then
with
solum
non
solus
praeest
,
a
fresh
distinction
,
which
smells
of
as
much
untruth
as
novelty
,
calculated
for
the
meridian
rather
of
a
Utopian
Commonwealth
,
then
an
English
Church
.
Can
a
real
division
stand
with
an
absolute
inseperability
of
the
keys
:
hath
God
joyned
them
together
in
his
word
,
and
must
they
now
be
divorced
by
humane
inventions
?
ubi
scriptura
non
distinguit
,
nec
nos
distinguere
debemus
,
was
alwayes
held
a
sound
Canon
in
the
doctrinal
body
of
Theology
,
till
the
Popes
head
by
the
destructive
machination
of
an
Index
expurgatorius
,
broke
off
the
neck
of
the
Rule
.
What
a
sinful
shame
is
it
for
our
reforming
prophets
,
(
who
claim
the
reputation
of
Gospel
Edifiers
)
to
go
about
to
build
up
Jerusalem
with
the
Rubbish
of
Babylon
?
and
to
dawb
over
the
wall
of
Christian
Religion
,
with
the
untempered
mortar
of
Jesuitical
distinctions
.
Christ
gave
the
keys
to
his
Disciples
,
as
preaching
ministers
of
the
word
,
and
powerful
dispensers
of
his
Sacraments
;
therefore
such
as
they
are
the
sole
Proprietaries
of
that
Authority
,
for
quatenus
ipsum
includit
per
se
.
How
then
can
this
new
thing
called
Lay-Elder
be
rightly
said
to
rule
only
?
who
hath
no
right
to
rule
at
all
:
surely
dabo
tibi
claves
regni
coelorum
was
not
spoken
to
a
mixt
person
,
comprehending
Clergy
and
Laity
,
(
St
Peter
was
no
such
Hermaphrodite
)
but
to
a
Homogeneal
root
,
virtually
containing
a
univocal
generation
of
ministerial
branches
,
to
be
spread
over
the
whole
world
,
for
defence
of
the
Catholique
Church
.
Oh
take
heed
therefore
how
you
corrupt
sound
Texts
with
adulterate
glosses
,
or
advance
a
Geneva
Transla●ion
above
Gods
original
,
let
not
the
biasse
of
novel
opinions
turn
your
heart
from
the
way
of
Truth
,
(
it
being
far
better
to
halt
in
the
right
path
then
to
run
headlong
into
a
wrong
)
but
seriously
consider
whether
it
be
not
safer
to
maintain
a
Church-warden
by
Ecclesiastical
policy
,
then
a
Lay
Elder
by
divine
right
?
As
for
the
precise
Independency
,
which
is
now
the
predominant
humour
in
the
distemper'd
body
of
this
Commonwealth
;
I
conceive
it
to
be
falsly
grounded
,
either
on
precepts
not
truly
understood
,
or
examples
not
commonly
practised
:
by
the
one
,
that
is
,
erroneously
attributed
to
the
people
,
which
is
directly
intended
to
Church
Officers
,
as
Matth
.
18.
17.
and
from
the
other
,
that
,
which
for
the
promulgation
of
the
Gospel
in
the
blooming
of
the
Church
,
was
dispensed
to
some
special
persons
by
an
extraordinary
instinct
of
the
holy
Ghost
,
as
Acts
11.
19
,
20.
is
drawn
into
a
common
and
ordinary
use
for
all
sorts
of
men
in
these
dayes
.
From
the
first
particular
we
have
a
ready
weapon
to
beat
down
the
strong
imagination
of
some
vulgar
inqu●si●ors
,
who
report
the
opinative
enmity
betwixt
the
Presbyterian
and
Independent
to
be
an
irreconcileable
opposition
,
as
if
the
one
were
a
Jew
,
and
the
other
an
Egyptian
:
a
bold
errour
,
worthy
to
be
put
out
of
countenance
in
the
stocks
of
correction
;
for
although
those
yeomen
in
Religion
,
hold
not
together
in
capite
,
yet
they
are
joint-tenants
in
tail
,
and
(
like
the
monumental
foxes
)
are
bound
by
agreement
to
find
firebrands
for
the
combustion
of
the
Church
.
The
only
variance
amongst
them
is
,
either
in
the
Arithmetical
account
of
sin
,
as
Mary
Magdelen
,
who
was
possessed
with
seven
devils
,
differ'd
from
the
Gadarene
that
had
the
company
of
a
legion
,
or
in
the
temporal
computation
of
their
original
,
as
Cain
,
the
first
murtherer
,
was
distinguisht
from
Judas
the
greatest
Traytor
in
the
world
.
In
which
respect
(
though
some
,
mistaken
in
the
science
of
Ecclesiastical
Heraldry
,
have
given
Presbyterians
the
honour
to
be
of
the
older
House
)
the
Independents
,
without
suspicion
of
Pharisaisme
may
at
a
festival
dinner
,
challenge
the
uppermost
place
as
their
due
,
by
an
unquestionable
right
of
preheminence
from
their
ancient
Progenitors
,
for
(
unlesse
Aarons
Levites
superannuated
,
did
degenerate
into
Lay
Elders
,
or
the
Assemblie
in
the
case
of
that
runaway
Concubine
,
kill
with
over-leacherous
kindnesse
,
were
a
type
of
a
Geneva
Consistory
)
I
cannot
apprehend
the
least
advantage
either
of
a
right
line
in
sense
,
or
collateral
in
consequence
,
to
deduce
the
Genealogy
of
a
Presbyterian
(
in
the
last
Edition
)
through
the
whole
age
of
the
old
Testament
,
whereas
the
Independents
pedigree
,
is
notoriously
known
to
be
derived
from
the
Congregational
confederates
of
Korah
,
Dathan
,
and
Abiram
,
famous
upon
Record
in
the
very
infancy
of
the
Law
.
But
passing
from
their
Prerogative
to
their
presumption
,
give
me
leave
in
a
just
exprobration
to
deride
the
confidence
of
this
forward
generation
,
who
(
ere
they
have
learned
with
the
Ethiopian
Eunuch
to
understand
the
Scriptures
)
will
undertake
to
dispute
in
the
schoole
of
Tyrannus
,
and
(
as
if
they
were
of
the
house
of
Stephanus
)
be
their
own
ordainers
to
save
others
,
before
they
know
(
like
St.
Pauls
Jailor
)
what
they
must
doe
to
be
saved
themselves
.
For
who
but
a
fools
wise
man
will
believe
,
that
Davids
eating
the
shew
bread
,
was
a
Catholique
licence
for
every
hunger-starved
Israelite
,
or
Epicure
Jew
to
make
it
his
ordinary
meals
meat
.
Necessity
,
that
great
School-mistresse
of
Arts
,
(
though
it
hath
no
law
by
proverb
)
is
not
lawlesse
by
Providence
,
neither
was
it
ever
decreed
by
the
policy
of
heaven
,
that
any
man
(
though
he
owneth
the
condition
of
the
unjust
Steward
,
without
art
of
husbandry
to
dig
,
and
boldnesse
to
beg
)
should
relieve
the
want
of
his
teeth
by
an
injustifiable
trade
of
the
tongue
.
It
seems
a
merry
spectacle
to
behold
a
serpentine
mechanick
,
who
like
a
pictur'd
head
,
hath
much
art
,
but
no
sense
,
to
vault
from
a
Tub
into
a
Pulpit
:
but
it
is
a
sad
history
indeed
to
hear
him
with
the
strings
of
his
tongue
,
lead
a
troop
of
silly
evites
by
the
eares
,
out
of
the
garden
of
Paradise
,
into
the
wildernesse
of
hell
,
by
fooling
them
into
a
fanatick
fancy
,
that
they
may
be
wiser
,
then
God
by
creation
fashioned
them
to
be
,
nor
can
the
innocency
or
uprightnesse
of
mens
intentions
excuse
the
obliquity
of
their
actions
,
no
more
then
the
Bethshemites
harmlesse
curiosity
in
looking
into
the
Ark
,
or
Vzza's
conceited
courtesy
in
touching
it
,
could
priviledge
them
from
the
punishment
of
death
.
A
handsome
pair
of
Judaical
presidents
to
damn
the
practise
of
those
men
,
who
are
either
overbusie
in
prying
into
Gods
secret
counsel
,
or
too
presumptious
in
handling
his
revealed
will
.
It
was
not
losse
of
limb
,
but
of
life
,
for
any
one
(
except
Aaron
and
his
sons
)
to
wait
on
the
Priesthood
in
the
old
Church
,
and
if
God
were
so
careful
by
a
penal
statute
of
death
,
to
provide
a
uniformity
of
consecrated
officers
to
attend
on
his
Altar
under
the
Law
,
why
should
we
so
much
undervalue
the
Majesty
of
our
Saviour
Christ
,
and
his
Economical
providence
over
the
houshold
of
faith
,
as
to
think
that
he
hath
allowed
his
own
table
to
be
served
with
a
Gallamalfry
of
ministers
under
the
Gospel
;
or
that
he
doth
approve
an
unpolished
rabble
of
lame
and
blind
Laicks
,
to
set
themselves
up
as
pillars
and
lights
in
the
Christian
Church
,
since
those
even
amongst
the
Clergy
,
who
had
but
the
least
blemish
of
corporal
deformities
were
forbidden
to
officiate
in
the
Jewish
Sanctuary
.
The
offering
up
of
incense
was
an
acceptable
service
,
as
well
to
procure
the
blessing
of
Gods
love
,
as
to
prevent
the
curse
of
his
anger
,
yet
being
unlawfully
done
,
by
hands
not
ordained
to
the
performance
of
the
duty
,
it
became
an
impulsive
cause
of
severe
vengeance
,
the
Preface
only
of
which
misdemeanour
exposed
Vzziah
(
Royalty
having
no
ward
against
the
stroak
of
divine
Justice
)
to
the
grievous
penance
of
a
durable
disease
;
and
if
it
were
the
just
merit
of
a
King
to
be
marked
in
the
forehead
,
for
committing
but
a
demirape
on
the
Priests
office
,
what
should
Minimes
of
men
deserve
to
suffer
,
who
in
a
full
career
of
sinfull
ambition
,
pursue
the
honour
of
a
higher
calling
,
then
God
hath
made
them
either
capable
to
overtake
,
or
skilful
to
undergo
.
Verily
the
Camels
doom
in
the
fable
,
who
for
desiring
the
Bulls
horns
,
lost
his
own
eares
,
is
a
penalty
too
modest
for
such
Mountebank
adventurers
.
Doth
not
the
Scripture
witnesse
,
that
Christ
put
some
Teachers
in
the
Church
,
to
teach
us
that
no
man
should
presume
to
put
himself
,
and
but
some
,
to
assure
us
,
that
all
cannot
be
put
in
the
same
office
,
and
is
not
his
short
plea
in
the
Brethrens
case
a
signal
declaration
to
the
whole
world
,
that
as
he
,
being
dedicated
to
a
spiritual
imployment
,
would
not
intangle
himself
with
civil
matters
:
so
no
man
that
is
constituted
in
a
civil
vocation
,
should
be
bold
to
meddle
with
spiritual
affairs
.
Truly
,
if
the
coming
into
Moses
chair
without
Aarons
call
,
doth
not
signify
a
climbing
up
the
wrong
way
,
I
am
yet
to
learn
the
meaning
of
entring
in
at
the
right
door
,
or
if
a
self-will'd
invading
of
the
ministerial
function
.
be
not
to
run
in
Gods
errand
without
sending
,
I
know
not
what
it
can
be
to
go
with
a
Commission
;
I
heartily
wish
those
watchfull
Seers
,
who
are
so
clear-sighted
in
espying
the
motes
of
others
,
had
the
illumination
of
true
grace
to
discern
the
beams
of
their
own
errours
;
for
I
must
roundly
tell
them
,
if
St.
Pauls
check
to
the
pragmatical
Thessalonians
,
cannot
humble
them
into
a
continence
of
themselves
within
the
term
of
their
own
businesse
,
St.
Peters
censure
will
justly
exalt
them
into
the
fellowship
of
murderers
and
thieves
.
Neither
can
I
omit
to
pay
the
tribute
of
the
like
charitable
affection
to
the
desperate
fraternity
of
their
next
kindred
by
bloud
,
whose
brains
,
overwhelm'd
with
the
vapours
of
an
Anabaptistical
feaver
,
dispose
them
to
dream
of
a
ubiquitarie
coordination
of
men
,
which
to
those
who
are
throughly
awakened
into
the
liberty
of
their
senses
,
is
all
one
with
an
exact
confusion
of
States
;
for
order
(
without
using
the
rack
of
an
abusive
Trope
to
make
it
speak
more
truth
then
it
literally
intends
)
is
nothing
else
but
the
Stewardship
of
nature
,
maintained
by
a
gradual
procession
,
as
well
of
one
above
another
in
place
,
as
after
another
in
time
;
therefore
it
can
be
no
lesse
then
an
abnegation
of
our
Creatorship
,
and
a
rebellious
outlawing
of
our selves
from
divine
protection
,
to
seek
that
on
earth
,
which
is
not
to
be
found
in
Heaven
,
save
in
God
only
,
whose
individual
identity
of
essence
is
the
only
exception
against
irregularity
of
persons
.
All
other
creatures
(
though
of
the
same
kind
,
as
men
and
Angels
)
by
reason
of
their
numerical
difference
in
nature
,
being
susceptible
of
degrees
in
accidentall
qualifications
:
and
how
suitable
this
physical
observation
is
to
religious
doctrine
St.
Pauls
brief
injunction
in
words
,
Let
every
soul
be
subject
,
is
a
large
lecture
of
confirmation
in
effect
,
which
universal
precept
not
only
includeth
the
world
of
liberal
and
mechanick
Artists
,
but
likewise
the
whole
tribe
of
Ecclesiastical
officers
,
neither
can
that
sophistical
subterfuge
(
the
quintessence
of
Presbyterian
Tyranny
)
that
Church-men
are
subject
to
Kings
in
their
persons
,
but
not
in
their
office
,
free
them
from
the
compleat
duty
of
the
Text
,
but
is
rather
an
aggravation
of
their
untowardnesse
to
obedience
for
such
Legierdemain
(
like
that
Apologetical
distinction
which
the
Romanists
invented
for
Julius
the
Third
,
that
he
was
a
good
Pope
,
but
a
bad
man
)
though
it
may
dilude
a
child
of
Niniveh
that
knows
not
the
right-hand
from
the
left
,
cannot
dazle
the
eyes
of
intelligent
persons
from
a
sensible
discovery
of
the
imposture
,
because
ministers
,
quatenus
ministers
,
and
in
the
very
officious
relation
of
their
spiritual
factorship
(
unlesse
Scripture
be
of
no
more
value
then
a
Legendary
proof
)
are
liable
to
the
censure
,
Judgement
and
Reproof
of
the
supream
Magistrate
.
For
that
Moses
,
out
of
pious
anger
,
hotly
rebuking
Aaron
for
making
the
golden
Calfe
,
was
guilty
of
an
over-zealous
presumption
,
or
Aaron
,
by
a
way
of
penitential
submission
,
calling
him
Lord
,
of
too
reverend
dissimulation
;
I
must
professe
,
I
am
not
wicked
enough
to
believe
,
nor
whether
Solomon
,
who
by
his
own
regal
authority
,
deposed
Abiathar
the
high
Priest
,
and
set
Zadock
in
his
office
,
did
act
beyond
the
sphear
of
his
calling
.
Have
I
an
impudent
sufficiency
of
prophane
Criticisme
to
question
?
I
am
neither
ignorant
nor
incredulous
of
the
powerful
priviledges
which
have
been
,
and
still
are
familiar
to
Christian
Worthies
,
yet
I
am
loth
to
believe
that
those
men
who
will
not
obey
as
subjects
for
an
hour
,
shall
reign
as
Kings
on
the
Earth
for
a
thousand
years
,
or
that
they
who
esteem
it
the
best
policy
of
discipline
to
march
in
bands
(
like
Solomons
locusts
)
without
a
Leader
,
are
a
fit
Army
(
though
their
teeth
be
swords
,
and
their
jaw-teeth
knives
)
to
fight
against
Gog
and
Magog
for
the
Monarchy
of
the
world
.
I
rather
think
such
fool-hardy
volunteers
that
list
themselves
in
the
service
of
the
Church
,
to
bring
the
body
into
one
ranck
,
without
the
word
of
Gods
command
,
are
more
apt
(
like
Elies
sons
)
to
grease
their
mouths
with
the
fat
of
the
peoples
offerings
,
and
to
lye
with
their
Sisters
at
the
Congregation
door
,
then
to
stand
up
against
idolatrous
Philistines
,
for
the
Redemption
of
Christs
Ark
,
or
to
sacrifice
their
lives
in
defence
of
the
Gospel
.
But
as
a
learned
English
man
once
said
in
case
of
History
,
so
may
I
in
this
controversie
,
He
that
followeth
truth
too
close
to
the
heels
,
may
chance
to
have
his
teeth
dasht
out
:
my
present
purpose
is
rather
to
vent
my
own
,
then
to
traffick
with
other
mens
opinions
;
yet
this
I
must
believingly
say
,
the
Presbyterian
ruling
,
and
Independent
preaching
,
Lay
Elders
are
no
more
warranted
jure
divino
,
then
Usurpers
are
allowed
by
municipal
,
or
Usurers
by
the
civill
Laws
.
And
if
our
Saviour
Christs
expostulatory
demand
,
who
made
me
a
Judge
?
be
not
Argument
enough
of
conviction
to
the
one
,
and
the
Apostles
determinate
question
,
are
all
prophets
?
a
sufficient
answer
of
satisfaction
to
the
other
,
I
shall
leave
them
both
to
content
themselves
with
that
liberty
which
St.
Paul
gave
to
the
Corinthians
,
if
they
will
be
ignorant
,
let
them
be
ignorant
still
,
and
conclude
their
opinions
to
sympathize
with
the
nature
of
those
perverse
kind
of
devils
,
which
cannot
be
cast
out
but
by
prayer
and
fasting
.
The
Episcopal
jurisdiction
which
consisteth
in
a
perpetual
right
of
presidency
over
the
Presbytery
,
is
both
to
my
faith
and
reason
the
proper
subject
of
Church
Government
,
confirmed
by
Aarons
superintendency
over
the
Levites
in
time
of
the
Law
,
and
by
the
Apostles
eminency
above
the
Disciples
under
the
Gospel
,
whose
jurisdictive
preheminence
was
not
(
like
the
gift
of
miraculous
power
,
a
spiritual
monopoly
,
to
be
extinguished
with
their
persons
,
but
a
comprehensive
priviledge
,
entailed
on
their
successours
to
the
worlds
end
.
Their
extraordinary
personal
qualifications
,
served
to
convert
those
that
were
without
,
but
their
Prerogative
power
to
govern
them
who
were
within
the
line
of
profest
Christianity
,
the
one
was
given
for
the
birth
,
the
other
for
the
education
of
Christians
,
the
first
died
with
their
original
subjects
,
because
the
means
ceases
,
when
the
end
is
accomplished
,
but
the
second
lives
in
a
derivative
posterity
,
because
where
the
end
is
not
determined
,
the
means
must
continue
;
for
although
the
essence
of
Church
Government
be
in
facto
,
yet
the
exercise
is
still
in
fieri
,
committed
to
the
hands
of
select
officers
,
not
for
a
temporary
use
,
but
a
perpetual
work
of
the
ministry
,
till
we
all
come
in
the
unity
of
faith
to
the
perfection
of
Saints
.
Neither
is
it
agreeable
to
the
principles
of
religious
reason
,
that
what
was
heretofore
of
good
,
should
now
be
of
bad
,
or
no
use
in
the
Church
.
Why
should
not
I
believe
it
an
ordinance
of
Gods
approbative
will
,
that
,
as
the
Pontificial
dignity
begun
with
Aaron
,
continued
de
jure
in
a
successive
Priesthood
,
till
Christs
coming
in
the
flesh
?
so
the
Prelatical
order
founded
in
the
Apostles
,
shall
remain
in
an
Episcopal
Generation
,
till
his
coming
to
judgement
.
I
am
sure
an
orderly
rule
to
prevent
the
growth
of
contentious
spirits
,
is
fit
for
Christians
as
well
as
Jews
,
and
the
practise
of
disciplinary
jurisdiction
as
needfull
in
this
age
,
as
in
the
primitive
time
,
mongrel
issues
both
of
schismatique
and
heretical
Sects
,
being
now
as
much
swarming
in
England
,
as
grassehoppers
once
were
in
Egypt
,
or
broods
of
monsters
are
in
Africa
.
Neither
do
I
build
this
faith
more
upon
the
foundation
of
politique
then
Theological
inductions
;
for
granting
(
which
is
an
unquestionable
doctrine
)
that
the
Apostles
received
their
degree
of
authoritative
superiority
above
the
Disciples
,
not
as
extraordinarily
gifted
persons
(
because
some
of
the
Disciples
wrought
miracles
as
well
as
they
)
but
as
ministerial
officers
of
the
Church
,
it
must
necessarily
follow
that
the
same
kind
of
supereminent
power
doth
rightfully
belong
to
all
their
successours
,
for
reduplicative
propositions
are
of
a
universal
consequence
,
according
to
the
noted
maxime
in
the
Schools
,
a
quatenus
ad
de
omni
valet
consequentia
.
And
whereas
it
is
objected
,
that
Bishops
being
planted
in
their
office
by
mans
authority
,
cannot
in
truth
be
called
the
Apostles
successours
,
who
were
immediately
commissionated
by
our
Saviour
Christ
,
without
intervention
of
humane
means
.
Therefore
our
Argument
must
needs
lapse
into
the
scandal
of
a
false
progression
ab
Hypothesi
ad
Thesin
,
I
know
not
what
better
Rejoynder
I
shall
make
to
such
a
frivolous
cavil
,
then
what
a
sound
father
replyed
to
a
corrupt
Interpreter
of
Scripture
,
nemo
ita
intelligit
,
nisi
qui
nonintelligit
,
no
man
understands
that
to
be
a
good
reason
,
but
he
that
understands
none
;
for
if
lawfull
succession
in
the
matter
of
an
office
must
necessarily
depend
on
the
manner
of
institution
,
then
the
Rulers
of
Israel
may
not
be
truly
said
to
have
succeeded
Moses
in
their
magisterial
callings
.
Indeed
the
Apostles
immediate
mission
from
Christ
(
whence
they
had
their
Title
)
doth
seem
to
enter
a
caveat
in
foro
Ecclesiae
,
against
the
claim
of
any
other
to
the
same
name
,
but
not
to
the
Executorship
of
the
same
office
,
as
it
was
transmittible
to
posterity
.
Next
to
those
everlasting
Church
:
monuments
the
Apostles
,
we
have
the
presidential
acts
of
Timothy
and
Titus
,
to
make
good
the
right
of
Episcopal
supremacy
,
whose
power
of
ordination
,
and
prerogative
of
censuring
the
offending
Elders
,
doth
convincingly
argue
their
fixed
majority
above
the
Presbyterie
,
for
par
in
parem
non
habet
potestatem
,
to
be
active
in
exercising
,
and
passive
in
submitting
to
a
power
,
are
distinct
Acts
,
which
must
needs
beget
an
unequal
respect
in
the
Subjects
,
neither
can
the
force
of
the
maxime
be
defeated
by
that
small
repulse
of
a
great
Rabbi
in
the
schooie
of
Church
Levellers
,
that
one
neighbour
may
compel
another
to
give
him
satisfaction
for
wrongs
offered
,
ergo
hoc
aliquid
nihil
est
,
which
conceit
is
much
like
in
feature
to
that
ridiculous
conceit
of
Aesops
fly
on
the
cart
,
who
thought
himself
authour
of
the
vapouring
dust
,
which
was
raised
by
the
violent
motion
of
the
wheels
,
who
knows
not
but
by
execution
of
the
magistrates
power
,
a
Steward
may
be
enabled
to
take
away
the
goods
of
his
Lord
,
and
a
base
hangman
the
life
of
a
noble
thief
,
which
are
their
superiours
,
yet
neither
of
them
have
any
authority
of
jurisdiction
in
themselves
(
which
is
the
state
of
the
question
in
hand
)
over
their
equals
;
nor
is
the
subjection
of
one
Prophet
to
another
,
an
homage
only
of
moral
compliance
,
which
barely
consisteth
in
a
mutual
submission
of
judgements
to
the
rule
of
better
advice
,
as
the
Disciples
of
Smectymnuus
do
fondly
imagine
,
because
the
word
{αβγδ}
,
which
the
Apostle
useth
1
Cor
.
14.
32.
is
not
only
by
right
of
Etymology
and
consent
of
prophane
Writers
,
an
absolute
sign
of
personall
subordination
,
but
likewise
by
the
same
Apostle
repeated
to
expresse
the
subjection
of
people
to
their
supream
Governours
,
Rom.
13.
1.
and
by
St.
Peter
of
servants
to
their
masters
,
1
Pet
.
2.
18.
whose
duty
(
as
I
take
it
)
standeth
not
in
an
indifferency
of
complemental
officiousnesse
,
but
in
the
necessity
of
real
obedience
.
The
common
exception
against
the
instance
of
Timothy
and
Titus
,
as
being
Evangelists
,
and
consequently
neither
Bishops
themselves
,
nor
fit
patterns
whereby
others
may
be
formed
into
that
office
,
hath
been
so
abundantly
exploded
,
that
the
finer
sort
of
Presbyterian
Advocates
are
ashamed
to
own
such
a
course
plea
.
But
that
which
grates
them
all
to
the
quick
,
is
their
solitary
power
of
ordination
,
whence
the
Bishop
becomes
the
Presbyters
Godfather
,
which
they
being
neither
willing
to
confesse
,
nor
able
to
deny
,
would
fain
put
off
with
the
old
shift
of
an
extraordinary
priviledge
,
whereby
indeed
they
affront
themselves
,
as
well
as
the
Bishops
,
and
directly
advance
the
opinion
of
those
giddy
fanaticks
,
who
maintain
ordination
of
ministers
to
have
no
foundation
in
the
word
of
God
.
It
cannot
be
denied
but
all
inferiour
Ministers
are
lawfull
copartners
with
their
superiours
in
the
Elementary
commission
,
goe
and
teach
,
but
that
an
equal
interest
in
the
authority
of
some
special
administrations
should
create
the
inmate
neighbourhood
of
a
Synonymous
complexion
betwixt
them
,
(
as
if
a
Bishop
were
but
the
counterpene
of
a
Presbyter
)
would
be
no
lesse
then
a
demonstration
of
singular
ignorance
to
grant
.
And
what
though
the
Primates
of
Christianity
(
who
were
both
the
materials
and
builders
of
the
Church
)
did
act
the
part
of
ordinary
labourers
in
Gods
vineyard
,
and
were
content
to
live
in
their
spiritual
calling
by
a
promiscuous
contribution
of
titular
characters
;
yet
the
example
of
their
first
general
understanding
was
no
bar
,
but
an
overture
(
witnesse
the
history
of
their
own
Acts
)
to
an
after
discrimination
of
particular
offices
.
Therefore
how
a
perpetual
parity
(
notwithstanding
the
Apostolical
institution
of
degrees
)
should
be
the
necessary
successour
of
a
temporary
enterfare
in
the
ministry
,
seems
an
Apocryphal
riddle
,
as
far
out
of
the
ken
of
my
apprehension
,
as
the
hypocrisie
of
a
stratagem
is
from
a
childs
discovery
.
Neither
can
I
be
satisfied
why
the
argument
of
a
nominal
community
should
prevail
more
with
my
understanding
to
professe
Bishops
and
Presbyters
but
one
in
office
,
then
to
deny
Apostles
and
Disciples
(
having
the
same
familiarity
of
appellation
)
to
be
divers
;
for
if
the
medium
be
of
pure
necessity
,
Apostles
and
Disciples
must
be
one
in
office
,
as
well
as
Bishops
and
Presbyters
,
if
it
be
not
,
Bishops
and
Presbyters
may
be
diverse
,
as
well
as
Apostles
and
Disciples
:
and
if
one
officer
could
subsist
with
variety
of
names
,
why
might
variety
of
officers
with
one
name
;
why
not
a
Bishop
and
Presbyter
with
the
common
name
of
Elder
,
as
well
as
an
Apostle
,
with
the
distinct
name
of
Presbyter
and
Deacon
.
To
clear
this
point
more
fully
from
the
mist
of
doubtfull
Expositions
,
and
to
cut
the
throat
of
that
thread-bare
evasion
,
Privilegia
personalia
non
trahuntur
in
exemplum
.
St.
John
doth
digito
demonstrare
,
directly
delineate
the
substance
of
Episcopal
authority
,
for
the
Angels
of
the
Asian
Churches
,
were
neither
Apostles
nor
Evangelists
,
(
all
of
them
being
dead
when
he
wrote
those
Epistles
)
and
yet
they
were
reared
in
a
degree
(
if
not
an
order
)
of
dignity
above
the
Presbytery
within
their
several
precincts
,
as
appears
by
the
peculiar
and
definite
application
of
his
stile
,
where
the
article
{αβγδ}
prefixt
to
the
substantive
,
to
the
Angel
,
and
doth
not
only
denote
a
determinate
individuum
,
but
an
eminent
person
,
which
is
a
sufficient
confutation
of
that
beggerly
shift
,
which
supposeth
a
collective
sense
of
the
words
,
equally
including
the
whole
Presbytery
,
whereas
both
the
direction
and
charge
of
the
Epistles
do
notably
restrain
the
summary
intention
of
the
Apostles
expression
,
in
a
distributive
interpretation
to
the
singular
Bishops
of
those
Churches
,
for
as
it
is
a
blasphemous
imagination
to
conceive
the
holy
Ghost
speaking
more
then
he
intends
:
so
it
is
an
unwarrantable
presumption
to
suppose
him
intending
more
then
he
speaks
.
Gods
written
Word
is
the
exact
copy
of
his
will
,
and
full
number
of
our
faith
,
which
may
not
be
divided
by
substraction
,
nor
multiplyed
by
addition
.
Shall
we
practise
lesse
in
our
lives
,
when
he
commands
more
in
his
laws
,
or
when
he
writes
one
in
the
right
line
of
his
Word
,
shall
we
transcribe
many
by
a
crooked
Parenthesis
of
an
interlineary
glosse
?
What
is
this
,
but
either
to
undermine
the
divine
foundation
by
atheistical
detraction
,
or
overlay
it
by
Antichristian
superstition
:
What
rule
have
we
either
in
Logick
or
Divinity
(
without
a
consequent
collection
of
circumstances
from
the
Text
)
to
give
a
plural
construction
to
a
word
of
singular
termination
,
or
what
constraint
of
Rhetorick
can
we
pretend
to
fly
from
the
congruity
of
Grammatical
concordance
,
to
the
irregular
support
of
a
solecistical
Synechdoche
?
For
my
part
,
as
I
think
it
a
necessary
duty
to
observe
that
directory
caution
,
which
I
have
learned
in
the
primordial
Rudiments
of
Religion
,
never
to
depart
from
the
literal
sense
,
as
long
as
it
agreeth
with
the
analogy
of
faith
,
and
contexture
of
Scripture
:
so
I
cannot
be
perswaded
(
much
lesse
convinced
in
conscience
)
to
believe
,
that
the
holy
Apostle
writing
though
of
infallible
things
)
to
failing
persons
,
should
wrap
up
his
purpose
in
an
implicite
term
,
since
the
connexion
but
of
one
letter
(
the
issue
of
an
instant
pains
)
would
have
plainly
unsolded
the
scope
of
the
matter
,
and
explicitely
equallized
his
speech
to
his
meaning
.
The
Holy
Ghost
explains
the
vision
of
seven
Candlesticks
by
an
adequate
numeration
of
seven
Churches
,
and
the
mysterious
figure
of
so
many
stars
by
the
like
quantity
of
Angels
,
whereby
(
if
according
to
the
verdict
of
our
new
Septuagint
Interpreters
we
understand
the
whole
ministry
of
the
Church
)
we
must
consequently
destroy
the
analogical
applications
of
the
truth
to
the
Type
;
for
why
the
same
arithmetical
proportion
should
not
be
maintained
betwixt
the
stars
and
Angels
,
as
there
is
betwixt
the
Candlesticks
and
Churches
,
which
by
a
special
note
in
the
one
,
and
particular
nomination
of
the
other
)
are
precisely
limited
to
the
number
of
seven
,
I
find
no
ground
either
of
reason
to
induce
,
or
Religion
to
command
my
belief
.
As
for
the
contraposition
of
similitude
(
whereof
the
pregnant
Presbyters
after
long
travel
were
delivered
)
that
as
a
thousand
persons
making
up
one
Church
,
is
represented
by
one
Candlestick
,
so
many
ministers
making
up
one
Presbytery
by
one
Angel
.
I
conceive
it
more
fit
to
exercise
a
school-boyes
wit
,
then
a
Divines
judgement
;
for
the
word
Church
being
a
noun
collective
,
which
requireth
a
multitude
of
men
to
constitute
its
essential
definition
,
can
bear
no
proportion
of
similitude
with
the
term
Angel
or
minister
,
that
is
vox
sejunctae
significationis
,
and
necessarily
excludeth
a
plurality
of
persons
,
besides
their
false
procedendo
à
concreto
ad
abstractum
,
which
he
that
is
but
a
blear
ey'd
Logitian
,
may
judiciousl●
espy
in
many
ministers
,
making
up
one
Presbytery
,
which
(
to
hold
a
correspondency
with
the
whole
)
should
be
exprest
:
so
many
ministers
making
up
one
Presbyter
.
When
they
have
art
enough
to
make
this
good
,
I
shall
beg
the
honour
to
be
their
pupil
.
Indeed
sometimes
a
singular
expression
admits
of
a
general
construction
,
as
our
Saviours
speech
to
St.
Peter
,
Matth
.
16.
19.
(
though
del●vered
in
a
solitary
phrase
)
is
understood
in
a
comprehensive
sense
,
which
is
not
an
imaginary
inference
of
private
interpretation
,
but
a
real
exposition
of
publick
truths
confirmed
by
collation
of
Scripture
;
for
what
is
signified
by
Thee
in
one
place
,
is
expounded
by
Ye
in
another
,
and
what
is
intended
by
Tibi
dabo
to
St.
Peter
,
is
declared
by
Accipite
in
the
rest
of
the
Apostles
,
but
by
one
Angel
to
understand
all
the
Presbytery
,
is
not
only
an
Heterodox
and
crosse
construction
to
the
literal
sense
of
the
Text
it self
,
but
an
unsutable
analysis
to
the
conference
of
other
places
,
which
do
evidently
appropriate
the
burthen
,
as
well
as
the
direction
of
the
charge
,
in
an
interrupted
stile
,
without
variation
of
number
to
one
person
.
Therefore
St.
Austins
Apology
to
his
dissenting
father
,
Dent
veniam
quidlibet
aliud
opinantes
,
ego
magis
credo
tanto
Apostolo
,
shall
be
my
defence
in
this
case
,
I
shall
rather
believe
the
plain
language
of
one
Apostle
,
then
the
figurative
comments
of
a
Presbyterian
university
;
who
(
in
imitation
of
that
politick
knack
of
Julius
Caesar
;
Deposuit
nomen
Dictacurae
,
at
vim
retinuit
)
do
in
pure
zeal
put
down
the
name
,
but
in
corrupt
affection
take
up
the
power
of
a
Bishop
,
and
advance
it
to
a
higher
step
of
supercilious
severity
,
then
ever
the
Archest
Bishop
adventured
to
practise
;
for
I
never
heard
nor
read
that
any
of
them
(
since
the
Popes
power
was
purged
out
of
this
land
)
did
claim
the
pride
of
an
ungracious
authority
to
place
the
chair
of
state
under
the
stool
of
repentance
,
which
the
rig'd
Presbyterians
have
most
impudently
done
:
besides
these
convincing
testimonies
of
Scripture
,
which
to
me
are
as
clear
as
the
noon
day
Sun.
The
unanimous
consent
,
and
universal
practise
of
the
Church
in
all
ages
,
recorded
in
h●story
Ecclesiastical
,
(
which
is
a
sufficient
evidence
for
matter
of
fact
)
are
two
main
supporters
to
bear
up
my
belief
of
the
Bishops
right
.
For
why
should
not
I
credit
Eusebius
,
who
tells
me
that
Policarpus
was
S.
Iohns
Angel
or
Bishop
of
Smyrna
,
as
well
as
Beza
,
who
writes
that
Calvin
was
President
of
the
Geneva
Assembly
,
I
confess
I
do
as
much
pity
as
condemn
the
humerous
dispositions
of
our
factious
Novellists
,
whose
heads
are
troubled
with
the
Athenian
itch
,
non
tam
magna
quam
nova
mirari
,
and
(
like
unstable
Weathercocks
)
carried
away
with
every
new
puffe
of
doctrine
,
from
the
centry
of
their
old
principles
:
as
initio
non
fuit
ita
,
and
hujusmodi
consuetudinem
non
habemus
,
are
arguments
enough
to
confute
either
an
inquisitive
Pharisee
,
or
a
schismatical
Corinthian
,
which
engageth
me
to
subscribe
to
the
Catholick
custome
of
the
Church
,
rather
then
consent
to
the
upstart
eventilations
of
private
spirits
;
for
although
antiquity
without
truth
is
but
a
musty
conserve
of
errour
,
yet
to
arrest
the
tracts
of
our
predecessours
upon
a
bare
suspicion
of
falshood
,
seems
to
me
an
act
as
much
against
the
law
of
Christian
charity
,
as
Ecclesiastical
policy
,
neither
is
the
customary
infirmity
of
a
misperswaded
conscience
,
so
dangerous
as
the
peremptory
innovation
of
unadvised
brains
;
for
humane
frailty
may
extenuate
an
ignorant
errour
,
but
nothing
can
excuse
a
presumptuous
sin
.
To
conclude
,
although
our
Bishops
are
now
disleized
of
their
ancient
tenure
by
an
ejectment
deed
of
the
sword
,
and
(
who
were
heretofore
thought
worthy
,
as
Reverend
fathers
of
dutiful
respect
)
are
now
become
objects
of
their
childrens
scorn
;
yet
the
present
alienation
of
their
condition
,
persecuted
by
the
herd
of
popular
catchpoles
)
is
too
soft
an
argument
to
turn
the
edge
of
my
opinion
;
for
in
such
substantial
cases
,
(
wherein
judgement
must
be
usher
to
affection
)
Cicero's
paradoxical
plea
shall
be
my
religious
resolution
,
licet
irrideat
si
quis
vult
,
plus
apud
me
tamen
vera
ratio
valebit
quam
vulgi
opinio
:
Sir
,
as
I
have
freely
given
you
this
account
of
my
faith
,
touching
the
government
of
the
Church
,
so
I
hope
you
will
not
think
it
unworthy
either
your
Christian
patience
to
read
,
or
your
learned
pains
to
answers
the
same
,
I
am
not
so
much
wedded
to
my
own
,
but
can
be
in
love
with
better
reason
,
which
if
you
please
to
afford
me
,
you
will
engage
me
,
not
only
to
acknowledge
my self
your
conquered
enemy
in
opinion
,
but
likewise
willing
to
subscribe
your
convert
friend
in
affection
,
Christianus
Philalethes